After realising that Scottish OEMs in a number of industries were struggling to locally source large-capacity machining for primarily complex parts requiring milling as well as turning operations, Graham Hawthorne — CEO of East Kilbride-based GCH Precision Engineering — knew that the company could secure this type of work, if it installed a large slant-bed lathe with C axis and driven tools.
He subsequently bought a Hyundai-Wia L500LMA from Sheffield-based TW Ward CNC Machinery Ltd (
www.wardcnc.com) — the machine manufacturer’s exclusive UK and Ireland agent.
The L500LMA, which was available from stock and has maximum length and diameter capacities of 2,109 and 690mm respectively, is now being used to machine a wide range of materials — from EN3A steel to EN36 high-tensile steel, aluminium, super duplex, Inconel and plastics — for clients in the aviation, oil and gas, food and drink and pharmaceutical sectors.
It also being used to make parts for robotic machinery and for the onshore drilling industry (the latter including the production of API threads to NACE and AMEC standards).
Mr Hawthorne said: “Much of this work was increasingly being out-sourced, either overseas or south of the border.
“I knew that we had the in-house skills to handle such projects; all I needed was the machining capacity.
“At the same time, we needed to replace some ageing machines — a radial-arm drill, a manual lathe and an older smaller-capacity CNC lathe; and while the Hyundai-Wia has effectively replaced all these, it has enabled us to undertake this larger work.
With its 45kW 2,990Nm spindle, it can easily handle 7mm cuts at a feed rate of 0.38mm/rev.
“Furthermore, the machine has resulted in reduced lead times; rather than having to re-locate workpieces for separate operations, we can now complete very complex parts in a single set-up, which not only saves time and resources from a manual-handling and manpower perspective but also eliminates any worries of possible inaccuracies when re-setting.
“Buying this machine has been the most important step that we have taken recently.”